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"We must endeavour to forget all that has passed on either side,"

said Jane: "I hope and trust they will yet be happy. His

consenting to marry her is a proof, I will believe, that he is

come to a right way of thinking. Their mutual affection will

steady them; and I flatter myself they will settle so quietly,

and live in so rational a manner, as may in time make their past

imprudence forgotten."

"Their conduct has been such," replied Elizabeth, "as neither

you, nor I, nor anybody, can ever forget. It is useless to talk

of it."

It now occurred to the girls that their mother was in all

likelihood perfectly ignorant of what had happened. They went to

the library, therefore, and asked their father whether he would

not wish them to make it known to her. He was writing, and,

without raising his head, coolly replied,--

"Just as you please."

"May we take my uncle's letter to read to her?"

"Take whatever you like, and get away."